bltd

This reminds me of the Leaf Tie a little. Could be very handy if you’re always needing quarters for parking meters (or vending machines).

Silicon rubber.
4.25 x 2.5 x 0.25″

Utilitarian materials and a simple design set this sleeve apart from the pack. At first the no-zipper worried me a little, but upon further inspection the elastic bands seem to do the job just fine. It’s really the materials that stand out though- asphalt grey felt with a large vegetable-tanned leather pocket give a natural feel, which is a nice balance to the device they protect.

Also check out their other various cases at hardgraft.com, especially their iPad Case (59.00 EUR) and Phone Case (45.00 EUR). (I’m also sort of considering buying their kindle case, as most I’ve seen online are sort of boring.)

You probably recognize this text from all the plastic bags you’ve seen it on, right? Well, now you can thank yourself for shopping each and every time you use this reusable tote. For anyone that is die-hard enough to care, the design is copied exactly as the original (the last “s” is upside down).

Made in the USA of natural organic Grade A canvas
16.5″ x 16.”

We’ve posted laptop sleeve envelope lookalikes before (see Undercover and Interoffice sleeves) but this leather version takes it up a notch. It certainly has a finer look to it than the previous noted sleeves, and will be a nod to the manila envelope without being mistaken for one. Call me crazy, but I almost prefer the other ones simply because they are more ‘undercover’ and affordable.

Small will fit the MacBook 13″ or MacBook Air, while Large fits the MacBook Pro 15″.
Designer: Shuk Yee

MoMA Store’s new Destination Portugal collection has a quite a few gems, one of which is this tote made from recycled Portuguese milk cartons. (The silver finish comes from the milk containers’ interiors, just in case you were wondering.)

17h x 22″l

If you’re wondering how this Paperwallet is different from the Mighty Wallet, you’re not alone. It’s made from Tyvek and is recyclable, same as the Mighty, but fits just a tad more credit cards as it’s got has just a few extra pockets. Also, if you’re the solid-color type, there’s some saturated hues that you’ll like. (Mighty Wallet has solids, but they’re a little more on the pastel side.)

2 credit card slots, 2 contact card flaps ,2 easy access pockets & 1 cash compartment. Fits 12+ Credit Cards.
8 x 20 cm (open)

**Also, Paperwallet is offering 10% off any wallet for BLTD readers. Just enter “betterliving” in the coupon code box.

Check out these colorful felt sleeves that folds around your laptop to keep it protected. When unfolded, the felt acts as a workspace with integrated mousepad. (If you have a sewing machine, chances are you could make something similar maybe?)

Felt colors available: Orange, Grey, Lime, Black and Pink.
Also available in Black or Brown leather (€189.00).

Add another reusable tote to your must-have list: this lightweight bag is made from a single sheet of #2 plastic and, just like the Ty Shower Curtain, you can write/draw on it as you wish. So, make notes, keep a travel log, or just keep it plain white (as I plan to do, at least at first). It’s machine washable and can be recycled when it has worn out.

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No more unpacking? Can it be true? This bag’s accordion strap allows for open shelf storage when hung, meaning you can do without hangers and hotel drawers. When folded, it looks like a normal-ish bag (in reflective material) that’s easy enough to carry around. It’s worth mentioning that the hook looks a little worrisome; if there’s no storage option for it, it might catch on something.

Available in Green, Blue, or Yellow.
Daniele Trebbi 2009
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This travel bag is mighty impressive. Handmade in Italy, it has 8 inside compartments (4 open, 3 zipped) and one outside compartment/pocket (for ticket or mobile phone) to make sure all your important things stay put. It’s got an undercover sort of look to it, especially in the darker ‘Panther’ color. Also, there’s free shipping to the US and EU, if that helps take the edge off the price.

Accommodates up to a 15 inch laptop.
Florentine Vachetta leather with water resistant nylon lining.
40w x 30h x 8d cm

Check out the extra pics to see the alternate color option and other views.
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Two are better than one… at least in this case. There’s a ton of totes available these days, but this is the first I’ve seen doubled up so that you can organize your items. The canvas ‘bridge’ that conects the two totes can be used to hold jackets or yoga mats or whatever other larger items you have. I’d say it might be an easy DIY project as well, if you’ve got two of the same sized totes and an aversion to buying more. If you’d rather just plonk down the cash for this one, it’s available in natural, black, and orange.

Designer: Stephen Wong
13″w x 15″h x 10″
Handmade in NYC.

photo © Grace Kim

If you read your news online, this laptop bag might be a good way to give tradition a nod while camouflaging your laptop. Designed to look like a newspaper folded in half, it’s fully lined in black satin so it’ll keep your laptop nicely protected. It’s maybe a bit more expensive than a plan ol’ laptop case, but good tech ‘fashion’ is hardly ever cheap.

By mitemite
Each newspaper print is unique to each bag.
(for Macbook Pro)

Also available through mitemite’s online shop for € 60.

Repeat it to yourself everyday in hopes that it’ll make a difference. Who knows, maybe it will. Also, if it doesn’t sink in, you can use the Baldessari Boring Art Ruler (�1) to hit yourself over the head with until it does.

43 x 35cm

This tote bag features John Baldessari’s lithograph ‘I Will Not Make Any More Boring Art’, 1971. For more info on the artist: John Baldessari

If you can’t afford (or find) Cristian Zuzunaga’s artwork, maybe this colourful tote bag will give you enough of a fix. If you’re not familiar with his work, take a look at his site (you’ve probably seen the results of his collaborations with Moroso and Ligne Roset).

100% Cotton.
Cristian Zuzunaga’s website

Nothing fancy about this laptop cover, just a nice outside pocket (4″ x 5″) for iPhone/iPod/mobile and 2 hidden snaps to close the main pocket. Simplicity.

Designed by Katja Hettler & Jula Tullmann for Redmaloo.
Made in Germany.
Wool felt with cotton trim.
Available in orange with red details or light grey with red details.

13″ – $78.00 (15″ x 10.5″) – only available in grey
15″ – $82.00 (17″ x 12″) – only available in orange